fiscal cliff

American  

noun

1. a governmental or personal financial crisis that is brought on by economic factors or policies.

   High housing costs have pushed many families over the fiscal cliff.

   Some municipalities are on the edge of a fiscal cliff after years of overspending.

2. (specifically) a financial crisis that threatens to disrupt the economy or personal finances and is brought on by steep governmental spending cuts and tax increases.

   Congressional legislation to avert the fiscal cliff.

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fiscal cliff British  

noun

1. informal a situation in which sudden changes in government expenditure and taxation have a profound effect on a country's economy

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Etymology

Origin of fiscal cliff

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The current blueprint for reform comes from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, which was directed by the state to produce a 134-page study in 2023 that anticipated the arrival of the fiscal cliff.

From Slate • Apr. 14, 2025

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives Speaker, Mr McCarthy, once again sought to allay fears that the US could veer off the fiscal cliff next month.

From BBC • May 24, 2023

The fiscal cliff is approaching quicker than economists initially expected.

From Washington Times • May 2, 2023

Though his administration feared the COVID-19 pandemic could force California off a fiscal cliff the following year, positive economic trends and revenue growth largely continued throughout his first term.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2023

Q: What options does Metro have with this looming fiscal cliff, as you have called it?

From Washington Post • May 28, 2022